Pats' Hernandez gets new deal

FOXBORO – The New England Patriots gave Pro Bowl tight end Aaron Hernandez a new, five-year contract on Monday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FOXBORO – The New England Patriots gave Pro Bowl tight end Aaron Hernandez a new, five-year contract on Monday.

The deal is worth $40 million, according to reports, and comes just months after the team locked up another All-Pro tight end, Rob Gronkowski, through 2019.

Hernandez’s deal with the Patriots (No. 2, AP Pro32) will run through 2018, and his base salaries of $545,000 and $570,000 for the next two seasons, respectively, will remain.

The 22-year-old former standout at the University of Florida wasn’t available for comment Monday but Patriots coach Bill Belichick addressed it.

“We wouldn’t have done it if we weren’t happy with it,” he said. “I’m glad it worked out.”

Hernandez had 910 yards receiving last season and seven touchdowns as the Patriots won the AFC before losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. In two seasons, he has 124 catches, 1,473 yards and 13 scores. He’s also carried the ball eight times for 92 yards.

The Pats will close the preseason at the Giants on Wednesday.

After signing the deal, the tight end will donate $50,000 to the Myra Kraft Foundation, a charitable organization honoring the late wife of owner Bob Kraft.

At 6-foot-1, and 245 pounds, Hernandez last season experienced a dramatic boost in production from his rookie campaign, often proving difficult to cover. He is expected to play an even larger role in the offense.

In last season’s playoffs, Hernandez ripped off a 43-yard run during a victory over the Denver Broncos, and finished with five carries for 61 yards as well as four catches for 55 yards.

“Aaron’s improved a lot. He’s worked hard, he’s improved a lot in all phases of the game – the passing game, the running game, protection and his overall versatility. He’s doing a good job for us,” Belichick said. “He’s a hard guy to cover.”

Like the 23-year-old Gronkowski, Hernandez’s rookie contract wasn’t set to expire until after the 2013 season, but the talented tandem of tight ends will remain in New England throughout their prime, forming perhaps the most productive pair in recent memory.

After posting one of the greatest seasons ever for a tight end last year, when he recorded 90 receptions, 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, Gronkowski was rewarded with the richest deal for a tight end in NFL annals. He agreed in June to a six-year, $53 million extension.

Hernandez’s contract actually averages more the first four years than Gronkowski’s deal and offers more in true guaranteed money. Gronkowski was promised $12 million up front and another $5 million if he was still on the roster in 2015.

“They’re two different types of tight ends, Rob being the bigger body type. But they both are very good at what they do,” tight end Daniel Fells said. “They push you to get better every single day. When you have two talented guys in your room, you want to try to raise the bar yourself, and it makes me get better.”

Hernandez’s deal casts a larger shadow over the possibility of a long-term contract for Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker. After a stellar season in which he led the league with 122 receptions – 22 more than the next highest total – Welker, who finished with 1,569 yards, was unable to come to terms on an extension this offseason. Instead, he signed a $9.5 million franchise tender in May.

Regardless of his future with the Patriots, the 31-year-old Welker should once again benefit from lining up beside Hernandez and Gronkowski. “with the way they can do different things, I think it really helps us in running and passing the ball,” Welker said.

GAFFNEY, STALLWORTH AMONG THOSE CUT BY PATS: The Patriots released veteran wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth. New England also cut defensive linemen Tim Bulman and Gerard Warren, as well as defensive back Ross Ventrone, as it gets closer to the roster limit of 75.

Defensive back Will Allen, safety Josh Barrett and fullback Spencer Larsen were placed on injured reserve, while tight end Jake Ballard and defensive lineman Myron Pryor were placed on the physically unable to perform list. Rookie free agent offensive lineman Markus Zusevics was placed on the reserve non-football injury list.

The receivers are the biggest names of the bunch. Gaffney, 31, is a 10-year veteran who played for the Patriots from 2006-08, catching 84 passes for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a former standout at the University of Florida.

Stallworth, 31, has played nine years after a college career at Tennessee. He was on the 2007 Patriots, posting 46 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns.

The 34-year-old Warren, also a former Florida Gator, has spent two of 11 NFL seasons in New England. He played 28 games for the Patriots.